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The verdict

Despite her ex-partner going to jail, Sarah said she was disappointed with the outcome and wants to appeal the sentence.

“I think it’s a bit of a joke to be honest,” she said.

“I can’t believe that even though he’s got previous he only got 20 months. He’ll be out in half that time.

“Domestic violence is taken seriously by the police more and more now, but at court they don’t get the sentencing they should.

“They wonder why people don’t come forward - it just seems like there’s no justice.”

“His whole family have nothing to do with him,” Sarah added.

The attack happened at a family hotel in Birmingham

The law

Laws enabling abuse victims to confront violent partners were rolled out in 2009.

‘Clare’s Law’ is named after Clare Wood, who was murdered in Manchester in 2009 at the hands of her new partner who had three previous convictions for harassment offences which she had not known about.

The Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme gives someone in a relationship “the right to ask” for information from various agencies, including the police.

Partners can be told about a partner’s previous convictions, cautions, reprimands or final warnings for any offence of violence.

But in Coventry, just 38 people have been able to find out whether a partner has a violent past from 93 applications.

The figures include both “right to ask” cases - where information was requested - and “right to know” - where police warn potential victims without being asked to do so.